At least 22 people were killed in a building fire in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta
A fire broke out today, Tuesday, in a building in the center of the Indonesian capital JakartaAt least 22 people were killed, according to a new toll announced by a police official.
The official explained that The firebroke out on Tuesday afternoon in a seven-storey building in central Jakarta.
Police said the fire was caused by a battery explosion on the first floor of the office building and spread to other floors.
Searching for victims
Central Jakarta police chief Susateo Purnomo Kondro told reporters. "As of 17:00 local time (10 a.m. GMT), the death toll was 22 people, and we will continue to search the area after it is secured."He pointed out that the majority of the dead were women, one of whom was pregnant.
He explained that most of the victims did not show signs of burns and most likely died of suffocation.
He added that the fire brigades were continuing to search for people who might be stuck inside the building.
He concluded. "We are still collecting information, but at present we are focusing on identifying the victims who have been found"
Cooling operations
Firefighters are working to cool the building due to the intense heat accompanied by dense smoke on several floors.
Footage showed the facade of the building blackened by the fire, with some windows shattered.
Other footage showed residents being evacuated from the upper floor using long stairs.
The building includes a company for agricultural drive services.
Destructive fires are common in Indonesia. In 2023, at least 12 people were killed and 39 others injured in the east of the country as a result of an explosion at a nickel processing plant.
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